Liquid crystal module mounting structure and mobile terminal mounted with the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a mounting structure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a cover of a mobile terminal. The mounting structure comprises: at least a pair of first and second engagement parts, wherein the first engagement part is provided on a side portion of the liquid crystal module, while the second engagement part is provided on a side portion of a structural member of the cover, so that the paired first and second engagement parts are engaged with each other only by fitting the liquid crystal module into the structural member of the cover.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/505,965, filedon Feb. 17, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,078, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal module mountingstructure, and more particularly to a structure for mounting a liquidcrystal module serving as a display to a mobile terminal such as a notetype personal computer or a laptop computer.

A liquid crystal module mounted to a note type personal computer or alaptop computer will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrative of a note type personal computer or a laptop computermounted with a liquid crystal module serving as a display. The personalcomputer comprises a body 20 and a cover 10. A liquid crystal module 1serving as a display of the computer is mounted to the cover 10. Theliquid crystal module 1 has a peripheral region surrounding a displayarea, and this peripheral region has a plurality of screw holes 1 b. Thecover 10 also has fixing parts 3 at positions corresponding to the screwholes 1 b of the liquid crystal module 1. The liquid crystal module 1 isfixed to the cover 10 by screws 2 which are driven tightly into thescrew holes 1 b and engaged to the fixing parts 3 of the cover 10. Adisplay area 1 a of the liquid crystal module 1 is smaller in size thanan entire part of the liquid crystal module 1 by the peripheral regionon which the screw holes 1 b are formed. Namely, it is difficult toenlarge the display area 1 a of the liquid crystal module 1 withoutenlargement of the cover 10.

Further, a thickness of the liquid crystal module 1 is decided dependentupon the necessary length of the screws 2 on the basis of the necessarystrength in tightly fixing the liquid crystal module 1 to the cover 10.Namely, it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule 1 with keeping the necessary fixing strength.

In order to have solved the above problems with the conventional liquidcrystal module mounting structure of FIG. 1, a side mount type liquidcrystal module has been proposed. FIG. 2 is a perspective viewillustrative of decomposed side mount type liquid crystal modulemounting structure. A liquid crystal module 1 has two opposite sidefaces which are vertical to a display surface 1 a of the liquid crystalmodule 1. Each of the two opposite side faces has two screw holes 4which axes are parallel to the display surface 1 a. The liquid crystalmodule 1 is engaged within inside walls of a bottom frame 5. The bottomframe 5 has two opposite side faces, each of which has two screw holes 5a at positions corresponding to the screw holes 4 of the liquid crystalmodule 1. The liquid crystal module 1 is engaged within the bottom frame5, whereby the screw holes 4 of the liquid crystal module 1 are alignedto the corresponding screw holes 5 a of the bottom frame 5. Screws 6 aredriven tightly into the screw holes 5 a and the screw holes 4, so as totightly fix the liquid crystal module 1 to the bottom frame 5. A topframe 7 is placed on the bottom frame 5.

The above side mount type liquid crystal module has the followingdisadvantage. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation viewillustrative of a mounting structure of a side mount type liquid crystalmodule to an outside frame. A liquid crystal module 1 is engaged withinan outside frame 7 and a bottom frame 5, wherein a distance “d” ispresent between an inside wall of the outside frame 7 and a side face ofa back-light portion 8 of the liquid crystal module 1, so that a screw 6is driven into screw holes to penetrate the bottom frame 5 and theoutside frame 7 and enters into the side portion of the liquid crystalmodule 1. The distance “d” is necessary as a margin for driving thescrew 6. This distance “d” as the screw margin results in widening theliquid crystal module 1.

Further, a space defined in the distance “d” is formed between theoutside frame 7 and the back-light portion 8. This space or the distance“d” makes small a ratio in area of a display surface 1 a to the entirepart of the liquid crystal module 1. The area of the liquid crystalmodule 1 is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module ismounted. Namely, the space or the distance “d” makes small a ratio inarea of the display surface 1 a to the entire part of the cover.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative of aside portion having a screw hole of an outside frame shown in FIG. 3. Inview of securing a sufficient strength, a screw hole formation portion 4for forming a screw hole for a screw 6 is made of a metal material,which is heavy more than a resin of a body of the outside frame 7. Themetal material for the screw hole formation portion 4 of the outsideframe 7 results in increase in weight of the mobile terminal.

Further, the screw 6 has a diameter “r”. The screw hole formationportion 4 extends in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module1. This screw hole formation portion 4 has margins “m1” and “m2”. A sizeof the screw hole formation portion 4 is “D” which is the sum of thediameter “r” of the screw 6 and the margins “m1” and “m2”. Those margins“m1” and “m2” make it difficult to further reduce the thickness of theliquid crystal module 1.

The above screw formation portion 4 of the side mount type liquidcrystal module is required to be formed to avoid a driver IC provided onthe module. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is reduced. The screw formation region of the side mount typeliquid crystal module makes it difficult to obtain an optimum layout ofthe signal lines of the driver IC.

As described above, the screw formation region of the outside frame ismade of a metal material, for which reason when the screw is driventhrough the screw hole in the screw formation region made of the metalmaterial, then it is possible that a metal broken piece is generated,whereby the metal broken piece may form a short circuit on an electroniccircuit.

The above described side mount liquid crystal module has a furtherdisadvantage that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mountliquid crystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanicalstress due to the received shock is concentrated to the screw formationregion of the outside frame. This mechanical stress concentration mayprovide damages to the liquid crystal panel and the outside frame.

The cover of the mobile terminal has the screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is necessary to formthe cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturing lineis high.

The screw receiving portion of the cover comprises a recessed portionwhich extends from the side face to an inside portion of the cover. Theextension of the recessed portion as the screw receiving portion makeswiden the width of the cover.

The side mount type liquid crystal module is inconvenient in removingthe liquid crystal module from the cover by removing the screws in sidedirection.

The screw receiving portions are provided on side portions of the cover,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

In the above circumstances, it had been required to develop a novelliquid crystal module mounting structure for a mobile terminal free fromthe above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelliquid crystal module mounting structure free from the above problems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelliquid crystal module mounting structure which allows size and weightreductions of the cover mounted with the liquid crystal module.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novelliquid crystal module mounting structure which improves operability inassembling the cover.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a novelliquid crystal module mounting structure which simplifies themanufacturing processes.

It is a further more object of the present invention to provide a covermounted with a novel liquid crystal module mounting structure.

It is moreover object of the present invention to provide a mobileterminal with a cover mounted with a novel liquid crystal modulemounting structure.

The present invention provides a mounting structure for mounting aliquid crystal module to a cover of a mobile terminal. The mountingstructure comprises: at least a pair of first and second engagementparts, wherein the first engagement part is provided on a side portionof the liquid crystal module, whilst the second engagement part isprovided on a side portion of a structural member of the cover, so thatthe paired first and second engagement parts are engaged with each otheronly by fitting the liquid crystal module into the structural member ofthe cover.

The second present invention provides a cover for a mobile terminal,wherein the cover has a frame member to which a liquid crystal module ismounted by a mounting structure of the first present invention.

The third present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising a bodyand a cover of the second present invention.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrative of a note type personalcomputer mounted with a liquid crystal module serving as a display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of decomposed side mount type liquidcrystal module mounting structure.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative of amounting structure of a side mount type liquid crystal module to anoutside frame.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative of aside portion having a screw hole of an outside frame shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrative of a liquid crystal modulemounting structure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a structuralframe of a cover of a personal computer in a first embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrative of individual components of aliquid crystal module shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the flexible projecting member providedon the bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on the liquidcrystal module.

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofa modified engagement structure between the flexible projecting memberprovided on the bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on theliquid crystal module.

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofanother modified engagement structure between the flexible projectingmember provided on the bottom plate and the recessed portion provided onthe liquid crystal module.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrative of a liquid crystal modulemounting structure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a structuralframe of a cover of a personal computer in a second embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the convex portion provided on the rightand left metal reinforcement members and the recessed portion providedon the liquid crystal module.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofa modified engagement structure between the convex portion provided onthe bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on the liquid crystalmodule.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrative of a liquid crystal modulemounting structure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a structuralframe of a cover of a personal computer in a third embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofa modified engagement structure between the projecting portions providedon the bottom plate and the guide grooves provided on the liquid crystalmodule.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofanother modified engagement structure between the projecting portionsprovided on the liquid crystal module and the guide grooves provided onthe bottom plate.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofstill another modified engagement structure between the L-shapedprojecting pieces provided on the liquid crystal module and a box-shapedengagement portions provided on the bottom plate.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrative of a liquid crystal modulemounting structure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a structuralframe of a cover of a personal computer in a fourth embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the right and left metal guide membersand the liquid crystal module.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrative of a liquid crystal modulemounting structure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a structuralframe of a cover of a personal computer in a fifth embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the liquid crystal module and the bottomplate via the adhesive tapes.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrative of a bottom plate having aliquid crystal module mounting structure for mounting a liquid crystalmodule to a bottom frame of a cover of a personal computer in a sixthembodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrative of a liquidcrystal module held by a rotational holder attached to a bottom plate ofa cover.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mounting structure for mounting aliquid crystal module to a cover of a mobile terminal. The mountingstructure comprises: at least a pair of first and second engagementparts, wherein the first engagement part is provided on a side portionof the liquid crystal module, whilst the second engagement part isprovided on a side portion of a structural member of the cover, so thatthe paired first and second engagement parts are engaged with each otheronly by fitting the liquid crystal module into the structural member ofthe cover.

In accordance with the present invention, the paired first and secondengagement parts are provided on confronting side faces of the liquidcrystal module and the structural member of the cover respectively sothat only fitting the liquid crystal module into the structural memberof the cover causes the paired first and second engagement parts to beengaged with each other, thereby to mount the liquid crystal module tothe structural member of the cover. This novel mounting structure doesnever need to provide a screw formation region of the conventionalmounting structure described above. Namely, the novel mounting structuredoes never utilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module should be decided dependent upon the screws onthe basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquid crystalmodule to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mounting structure makes itpossible to reduce the thickness of the liquid crystal module withkeeping the necessary fixing or mounting strength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module Further, no space is formed between the outsideframe and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible to increasea ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of the liquidcrystal module, even the area of the liquid crystal module is limited bythe cover to which the liquid crystal module is mounted.

No use of the screws further provide the following advantages. No use ofthe screws needs no formation of the screw hole formation portion whichshould have to be made of a metal material, which is heavy more than aresin of a body of the outside frame. No use of the metal material forthe outside frame results in reduction in weight of the mobile terminal.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module from the cover becausethe paired first and second engagement parts provided on the side facesof the liquid crystal module and the structural frame of the cover areengaged with each other by only a single operation of fitting the liquidcrystal module into the structural frame of the cover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

The term “structural frame” means to include both a bottom plate portionof the cover, wherein the back face of the liquid crystal module facesto the bottom plate portion of the cover when the liquid crystal moduleis fitted into the cover, and an outside frame which comes together withthe side faces of the liquid crystal module.

It is preferable that plural pairs of the first and second engagementparts are provided, so that a plurality of the first engagement partsare provided on side faces of the liquid crystal module whilst aplurality of the second engagement parts are provided on side faces ofthe structural member of the cover. The plural pairs of the first andsecond engagement parts are preferable to secure the mounting of theliquid crystal module to the cover. This mounting structure does not usethe screws, for which reason the above described advantages caused by nouse of the screws can be obtained.

It is further preferable that plural pairs of the first and secondengagement parts are provided symmetrically in first and seconddirections perpendicular to each other and vertical to a display surfaceof the liquid crystal module to obtain balances in position. Thismounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason the abovedescribed advantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part is provided on areinforcement member attached along the side face of the structuralmember of the cover. In order to increase the mechanical strength of theliquid crystal module, it is effective that the liquid crystal module isattached to the reinforcement member attached along the side face of thestructural member of the cover. Since the second engagement part isprovided on the reinforcement member, it is not necessary to provide thesecond engagement part on the structural member of the cover. Thestructural member of the cover may be made of a plastic. The provisionof the metal reinforcement members which increase the mechanicalstrength allows a reduction of the mechanical strengths of thestructural members of the cover. This means it possible to reduce theweights of the structural members of the cover, whereby the weight ofthe cover can be reduced. Further, the reinforcement members with theengagement parts are attached to the structural members of the cover,for which reason the structural members made of the plastic is free ofany engagement portions for allowing the liquid crystal module to bemounted to the structural members of the cover, whereby the number ofthe necessary molding processes for forming the structural members ofthe cover made of the plastic can be reduced. The reduction in thenumber of the necessary molding processes for forming the structuralmembers of the cover allows a reduction of the manufacturing cost.Further, the structural members of the cover may be common to variouschanges in positions and sizes of the engagement parts provided on theliquid crystal module, because the engagement pants provided on thereinforcement members are adjusted to the changes in positions and sizesof the engagement parts. This can respond to the requirement for variouschanges in design with keeping the reduction in the manufacturing cost.In addition, this mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained.

It is also preferable that the first engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the second engagement part comprises arecessed portion for receiving the projecting portion. This structure isextremely simple so that the projecting portion as the first engagementpart provided on the side face of the liquid crystal module is engagedor fitted into the recessed portion when the liquid crystal module isfitted into the structural frame of the cover. In this case, it isfurther preferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allow theprojecting portion to snap into the recessed portion. This mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allowthe projecting portion to be caulked into the recessed portion. Caulkingthe projecting portion into the recessed portion increases the strengthof the connection between them, whereby the strength of mounting theliquid crystal module to the structural frame of the cover is increased.This mounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason theabove described advantages caused by no use of the screws can beobtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the first engagement part comprises a recessedportion for receiving the projecting portion. This structure isextremely simple so that the projecting portion as the second engagementpart provided on the side face of the structural frame of the cover isengaged or fitted to the recessed portion provided on the side face ofthe liquid crystal module when the liquid crystal module is fitted intothe structural frame of the cover. In this case, it is furtherpreferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allow theprojecting portion to snap into the recessed portion. This mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allowthe projecting portion to be caulked into the recessed portion. Caulkingthe projecting portion into the recessed portion increases the strengthof the connection between them, whereby the strength of mounting theliquid crystal module to the structural frame of the cover is increased.This mounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason theabove described advantages caused by no use of the screws can beobtained.

It is also preferable that the first engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the second engagement part comprises a guidegroove for guiding and receiving the projecting portion. In this case,it is further preferable that the guide groove comprises: a first grooveportion having an opening for introducing the projecting portion; and asecond groove portion being connected with the first groove portion forguiding the projecting portion, and wherein the first groove portionextends in a first direction along a thickness direction of thestructural member of the cover, whilst the second groove portion extendsin a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and alsoextends along a longitudinal axis of the side face of the structuralmember of the cover. This mounting structure does not use the screws,for which reason the above described advantages caused by no use of thescrews can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the structural member of the cover has aholder for holding the projecting portion. The holder prevents arelative motion between the first and second engagement parts, therebypreventing the relative motion between the liquid crystal module and thestructural frame of the cover. This structure may increase the strengthof connection between the first and second engagement parts, therebyincreasing the strength of mounting the liquid crystal module to thestructural frame of the cover. This mounting structure does not use thescrews, for which reason the above described advantages caused by no useof the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the first engagement part comprises a guidegroove for guiding and receiving the projecting portion. In this case,it is also preferable that the guide groove comprises: a first grooveportion having an opening for introducing the projecting portion; and asecond groove portion being connected with the first groove portion forguiding the projecting portion, and wherein the first groove portion,extends in a first direction along a thickness direction of the liquidcrystal module, whilst the second groove portion extends in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction and also extends along alongitudinal axis of the side face of the liquid crystal module. Thismounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason the abovedescribed advantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the side face of the liquid crystal modulehas a holder for holding the projecting portion. The holder prevents arelative motion between the first and second engagement parts, therebypreventing the relative motion between the liquid crystal module and thestructural frame of the cover. This structure may increase the strengthof connection between the first and second engagement parts, therebyincreasing the strength of mounting the liquid crystal module to thestructural frame of the cover. This mounting structure does not use thescrews, for which reason the above described advantages caused by no useof the screws can be obtained.

It is preferable that the first engagement part comprises an L-shapedflexible plate which further comprises: a first flexible plate partextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module from anedge of the side face of the liquid crystal module; and a secondflexible plate part extending perpendicular to the first flexible platepart and in parallel to a surface of the liquid crystal module, so thatthe second flexible plate part is separated from the surface of theliquid crystal module by a space, and further an inside surface of thesecond flexible plate part facing to the space has a projection whichprojects into the space and toward the surface of the liquid crystalmodule, and wherein the second engagement part comprises a plate memberwhich further has: an opening for introducing the second flexible platepart; a guide groove connected with the opening for guiding the firstflexible plate part to allow the second flexible plate part to slide onan opposite surface of the plate member to the surface of the liquidcrystal module; and a hole for allowing the projection provided on thesecond flexible plate part to snap into the hole when the first flexibleplate part is guided along the guide groove and the second flexibleplate part slides on the opposite surface of the plate member. Theliquid crystal module is supported by the line segments comprising thegrooves. This structure relaxes the mechanical stress or prevents themechanical stress concentration to points when the liquid crystal modulereceives the external stress such as the external shock. The relaxationto the mechanical stress or prevention of the mechanical stressconcentration may prevent the liquid crystal module and the cover frombeing broken. This mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part comprises anL-shaped flexible plate which further comprises: a first flexible platepart extending in a thickness direction of the cover from an edge of theside face of the structural member of the cover; and a second flexibleplate part extending perpendicular to the first flexible plate part andin parallel to a surface of the cover, so that the second flexible platepart is separated from the surface of the cover by a space, and furtheran inside surface of the second flexible plate part facing to the spacehas a projection which projects into the space and toward the surface ofthe cover, and wherein the first engagement part comprises a platemember which further has: an opening for introducing the second flexibleplate part; a guide groove connected with the opening for guiding thefirst flexible plate part to allow the second flexible plate part toslide on an opposite surface of the plate member to the surface of thecover; and a hole for allowing the projection provided on the secondflexible plate part to snap into the hole when the first flexible platepart is guided along the guide groove and the second flexible plate partslides on the opposite surface of the plate member. The liquid crystalmodule is supported by the line segments comprising the grooves. Thisstructure relaxes the mechanical stress or prevents the mechanicalstress concentration to points when the liquid crystal module receivesthe external stress such as the external shock. The relaxation to themechanical stress or prevention of the mechanical stress concentrationmay prevent the liquid crystal module and the cover from being broken.This mounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason theabove described advantages caused by no use of the screws can beobtained.

It is also preferable that a pair of the first and second engagementparts comprises an adhesive tape having opposite surfaces capable ofadhering the liquid crystal module and the structural member of thecover respectively. This mounting structure does not use the screws, forwhich reason the above described advantages caused by no use of thescrews can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the first engagement part comprises arotational module holder for holding one side face of the liquid crystalmodule whilst the second engagement part comprises a holder supporterfor mechanically and pivotally supporting the rotational modulesupporter so as to allow the rotational module holder to rotate around alongitudinal axis of the rotational module holder and also for fixingthe rotational module holder at a predetermined angle. The liquidcrystal module is supported by the separate positions. This structurerelaxes the mechanical stress or prevents the mechanical stressconcentration to points when the liquid crystal module receives theexternal stress such as the external shock. The relaxation to themechanical stress or prevention of the mechanical stress concentrationmay prevent the liquid crystal module and the cover from being broken.The rotational module holder serves as a reinforcement member toincrease the mechanical strength of the liquid crystal module. No needto form the engagement parts on the liquid crystal module simplifies themanufacturing process, whereby the manufacturing cost can be reduced anda freedom in design of the liquid crystal module can also be increased.This mounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason theabove described advantages caused by no use of the screws can beobtained. This mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained.

It is also preferable that the rotational module holder comprises a bodyextending along the one side face of the liquid crystal module; a pairof first cylindrically shaped projections projecting outwardly fromopposite side faces of the body; and a pair of second cylindricallyshaped projections projecting outwardly from opposite side faces of thebody, whilst the holder supporter comprises a pair of plate membersconfronting with the opposite side faces of the body, and the pair ofthe plate members also have: a pair of first circular shaped holesreceiving the first cylindrically shaped projections for pivotallysupporting the body of the rotational module holder and allowing therotational module holder to rotate around the longitudinal axis of therotational module holder; and a pair of second circular shaped holesreceiving the second cylindrically shaped projections for allowing thesecond cylindrically shaped projections to snap into the second circularshaped holes thereby to fix the rotational module holder. The liquidcrystal module is supported by the separate positions. This structurerelaxes the mechanical stress or prevents the mechanical stressconcentration to points when the liquid crystal module receives theexternal stress such as the external shock. The relaxation to themechanical stress or prevention of the mechanical stress concentrationmay prevent the liquid crystal module and the cover from being broken.This mounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason theabove described advantages caused by no use of the screws can beobtained. The rotational module holder serves as a reinforcement memberto increase the mechanical strength of the liquid crystal module. Noneed to form the engagement parts on the liquid crystal modulesimplifies the manufacturing process, whereby the manufacturing cost canbe reduced and a freedom in design of the liquid crystal module can alsobe increased. This mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained. In this cause, it is further preferable that the secondengagement part further comprises a fix module holder for holding anopposite side of the liquid crystal module to the one side face of theliquid crystal module. It is further more preferable that the fix moduleholder further has a pushing member for pushing the opposite side of theliquid crystal module toward the rotational module holder in order tosecurely position the liquid crystal module without clattering.

The second present invention provides a cover for a device, the coverhaving a frame member for mounting a liquid crystal module by a mountingstructure of the foregoing first present invention.

The third present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising a bodyand a cover of the above second present invention.

The fourth present invention provides a mounting structure for mountinga liquid crystal module to a cover of a mobile terminal. The mountingstructure comprises: at least an adhesive tape having opposite surfacescapable of adhering a back face of the liquid crystal module and abottom plate portion of the cover respectively, so that the liquidcrystal module is adhered through said at least adhesive tape to thebottom plate portion of the cover.

In accordance with the present invention, the adhesive tapes areprovided on the back face of the liquid crystal module and confrontingback plate portion of the cover respectively so that only fitting theliquid crystal module into the structural member of the cover causesadhering the liquid crystal module to the cover. This novel mountingstructure does never need to provide a screw formation region of theconventional mounting structure described above. Namely, the novelmounting structure does never utilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module should be decided dependent upon the screws onthe basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquid crystalmodule to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mounting structure makes itpossible to reduce the thickness of the liquid crystal module withkeeping the necessary fixing or mounting strength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module. Further, no space is formed between the outsideframe and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible to increasea ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of the liquidcrystal module, even the area of the liquid crystal module is limited bythe cover to which the liquid crystal module is mounted.

No use of the screws further provide the following advantages. No use ofthe screws needs no formation of the screw hole formation portion whichshould have to be made of a metal material, which is heavy more than aresin of a body of the outside frame. No use of the metal material forthe outside frame results in reduction in weight of the mobile terminal.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module from the cover becausethe liquid crystal module and the back plate portion of the cover areadhered with each other via the adhesive tape by only a single operationof fitting the liquid crystal module into the back plate portion of thecover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

It is preferable that plural adhesive tape are provided symmetrically.

The fifth present invention provides a cover for a device, the coverhaving a frame member for mounting a liquid crystal module by a mountingstructure of the foregoing fourth present invention.

The sixth present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising a bodyand a cover of the above fifth present invention.

The seventh present invention provides a mounting structure for mountinga display module to a cover of a mobile terminal. The mounting structurecomprises: at least a pair of first and second engagement parts, whereinthe first engagement part is provided on the display module, whilst thesecond engagement part is provided on a structural member of the cover,so that the paired first and second engagement parts are engaged witheach other only by fitting the display module into the structural memberof the cover. It is preferable that plural pairs of the first and secondengagement parts are provided, so that a plurality of the firstengagement parts are provided on side faces of the display module whilsta plurality of the second engagement parts are provided on side faces ofthe structural member of the cover. The plural pairs of the first andsecond engagement parts are preferable to secure the mounting of thedisplay module to the cover.

In accordance with the present invention, the paired first and secondengagement parts are provided on confronting side faces of the displaymodule and the structural member of the cover respectively so that onlyfitting the display module into the structural member of the covercauses the paired first and second engagement parts to be engaged witheach other, thereby to mount the display module to the structural memberof the cover. This novel mounting structure does never need to provide ascrew formation region of the conventional mounting structure describedabove. Namely, the novel mounting structure does never utilizes thescrew.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe display module should be decided dependent upon the screws on thebasis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the display module tothe cover. Namely, the screw-free mounting structure makes it possibleto reduce the thickness of the display module with keeping the necessaryfixing or mounting strength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type display module mounting structure. No use of screws norformations of screw holes do need no margin on the side portions fordriving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of the displaymodule. Further, no space is formed between the outside frame and theback-light portion. No space makes it possible to increase a ratio inarea of a display surface to the entire part of the display module, eventhe area of the display module is limited by the cover to which thedisplay module is mounted.

No use of the screws further provide the following advantages. No use ofthe screws needs no formation of the screw hole formation portion whichshould have to be made of a metal material, which is heavy more than aresin of a body of the outside frame. No use of the metal material forthe outside frame results in reduction in weight of the mobile terminal.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the display module. No screw holeformation portion does not need any margins. No margins make it possibleto further reduce the thickness of the display module.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount displaymodule receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress due to thereceived shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. No use ofthe screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes thedisplay panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the display module is convenientin removing the display module from the cover because the paired firstand second engagement parts provided on the side faces of the displaymodule and the structural frame of the cover are engaged with each otherby only a single operation of fitting the display module into thestructural frame of the cover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

The term “structural frame” means to include both a bottom plate portionof the cover, wherein the back face of the display module faces to thebottom plate portion of the cover when the display module is fitted intothe cover, and an outside frame which comes together with the side facesof the display module.

It is further preferable that plural pairs of the first and secondengagement parts are provided symmetrically in first and seconddirections perpendicular to each other and vertical to a display surfaceof the display module to obtain balances in position. This mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part is provided on areinforcement member attached along the side face of the structuralmember of the cover. In order to increase the mechanical strength of thedisplay module, it is effective that the display module is attached tothe reinforcement member attached along the side face of the structuralmember of the cover. Since the second engagement part is provided on thereinforcement member, it is not necessary to provide the secondengagement part on the structural member of the cover. The structuralmember of the cover may be made of a plastic. The provision of the metalreinforcement members which increase the mechanical strength allows areduction of the mechanical strengths of the structural members of thecover. This means it possible to reduce the weights of the structuralmembers of the cover, whereby the weight of the cover can be reduced.Further, the reinforcement members with the engagement parts areattached to the structural members of the cover, for which reason thestructural members made of the plastic is free of any engagementportions for allowing the display module to be mounted to the structuralmembers of the cover, whereby the number of the necessary moldingprocesses for forming the structural members of the cover made of theplastic can be reduced. The reduction in the number of the necessarymolding processes for forming the structural members of the cover allowsa reduction of the manufacturing cost. Further, the structural membersof the cover may be common to various changes in positions and sizes ofthe engagement parts provided on the display module, because theengagement parts provided on the reinforcement members are adjusted tothe changes in positions and sizes of the engagement parts. This canrespond to the requirement for various changes in design with keepingthe reduction in the manufacturing cost. In addition, this mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the first engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the second engagement part comprises arecessed portion for receiving the projecting portion. This structure isextremely simple so that the projecting portion as the first engagementpart provided on the side face of the display module is engaged orfitted into the recessed portion when the display module is fitted intothe structural frame of the cover. In this case, it is furtherpreferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allow theprojecting portion to snap into the recessed portion. This mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allowthe projecting portion to be caulked into the recessed portion. Caulkingthe projecting portion into the recessed portion increases the strengthof the connection between them, whereby the strength of mounting thedisplay module to the structural frame of the cover is increased. Thismounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason the abovedescribed advantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the first engagement part comprises a recessedportion for receiving the projecting portion. This structure isextremely simple so that the projecting portion as the second engagementpart provided on the side face of the structural frame of the cover isengaged or fitted to the recessed portion provided on the side face ofthe display module when the display module is fitted into the structuralframe of the cover In this case, it is further preferable that theprojecting portion is flexible to allow the projecting portion to snapinto the recessed portion This mounting structure does not use thescrews, for which reason the above described advantages caused by no useof the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the projecting portion is flexible to allowthe projecting portion to be caulked into the recessed portion. Caulkingthe projecting portion into the recessed portion increases the strengthof the connection between them, whereby the strength of mounting thedisplay module to the structural frame of the cover is increased. Thismounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason the abovedescribed advantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the first engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the second engagement part comprises a guidegroove for guiding and receiving the projecting portion. In this case,it is further preferable that the guide groove comprises: a first grooveportion having an opening for introducing the projecting portion; and asecond groove portion being connected with the first groove portion forguiding the projecting portion, and wherein the first groove portionextends in a first direction along a thickness direction of thestructural member of the cover, whilst the second groove portion extendsin a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and alsoextends along a longitudinal axis of the side face of the structuralmember of the cover. This mounting structure does not use the screws,for which reason the above described advantages caused by no use of thescrews can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the structural member of the cover has aholder for holding the projecting portion. The holder prevents arelative motion between the first and second engagement parts, therebypreventing the relative motion between the display module and thestructural frame of the cover. This structure may increase the strengthof connection between the first and second engagement parts, therebyincreasing the strength of mounting the display module to the structuralframe of the cover. This mounting structure does not use the screws, forwhich reason the above described advantages caused by no use of thescrews can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part comprises aprojecting portion whilst the first engagement part comprises a guidegroove for guiding and receiving the projecting portion. In this case,it is also preferable that the guide groove comprises: a first grooveportion having an opening for introducing the projecting portion; and asecond groove portion being connected with the first groove portion forguiding the projecting portion, and wherein the first groove portionextends in a first direction along a thickness direction of the displaymodule, whilst the second groove portion extends in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction and also extends along alongitudinal axis of the side face of the display module. This mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that the side face of the display module has aholder for holding the projecting portion. The holder prevents arelative notion between the first and second engagement parts, therebypreventing the relative motion between the display module and thestructural frame of the cover. This structure may increase the strengthof connection between the first and second engagement parts, therebyincreasing the strength of mounting the display module to the structuralframe of the cover. This mounting structure does not use the screws, forwhich reason the above described advantages caused by no use of thescrews can be obtained.

It is preferable that the first engagement part comprises an L-shapedflexible plate which further comprises: a first flexible plate partextending in a thickness direction of the display module from an edge ofthe side face of the display module; and a second flexible plate partextending perpendicular to the first flexible plate part and in parallelto a surface of the display module, so that the second flexible platepart is separated from the surface of the display module by a space, andfurther an inside surface of the second flexible plate part facing tothe space has a projection which projects into the space and toward thesurface of the display module, and wherein the second engagement partcomprises a plate member which further has an opening for introducingthe second flexible plate part; a guide groove connected with theopening for guiding the first flexible plate part to allow the secondflexible plate part to slide on an opposite surface of the plate memberto the surface of the display module; and a hole for allowing theprojection provided on the second flexible plate part to snap into thehole when the first flexible plate part is guided along the guide grooveand the second flexible plate part slides on the opposite surface of theplate member. The display module is supported by the line segmentscomprising the grooves. This structure relaxes the mechanical stress orprevents the mechanical stress concentration to points when the displaymodule receives the external stress such as the external shock. Therelaxation to the mechanical stress or prevention of the mechanicalstress concentration may prevent the display module and the cover frombeing broken. This mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained.

It is also preferable that the second engagement part comprises anL-shaped flexible plate which further comprises: a first flexible platepart extending in a thickness direction of the cover from an edge of theside face of the structural member of the cover; and a second flexibleplate part extending perpendicular to the first flexible plate part andin parallel to a surface of the cover, so that the second flexible platepart is separated from the surface of the cover by a space, and furtheran inside surface of the second flexible plate part facing to the spacehas a projection which projects into the space and toward the surface ofthe cover, and wherein the first engagement part comprises a platemember which further has: an opening for introducing the second flexibleplate part; a guide groove connected with the opening for guiding thefirst flexible plate part to allow the second flexible plate part toslide on an opposite surface of the plate member to the surface of thecover; and a hole for allowing the projection provided on the secondflexible plate part to snap into the hole when the first flexible platepart is guided along the guide groove and the second flexible plate partslides on the opposite surface of the plate member. The display moduleis supported by the line segments comprising the grooves. This structurerelaxes the mechanical stress or prevents the mechanical stressconcentration to points when the display module receives the externalstress such as the external shock The relaxation to the mechanicalstress or prevention of the mechanical stress concentration may preventthe display module and the cover from being broken. This mountingstructure does not use the screws, for which reason the above describedadvantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.

It is also preferable that a pair of the first and second engagementparts comprises an adhesive tape having opposite surfaces capable ofadhering the display module and the structural member of the coverrespectively. This mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained.

It is also preferable that the first engagement part comprises arotational module holder for holding one side face of the display modulewhilst the second engagement part comprises a holder supporter formechanically and pivotally supporting the rotational module supporter soas to allow the rotational module holder to rotate around a longitudinalaxis of the rotational module holder and also for fixing the rotationalmodule. holder at a predetermined angle. The display module is supportedby the separate positions. This structure relaxes the mechanical stressor prevents the mechanical stress concentration to points when thedisplay module receives the external stress such as the external shock.The relaxation to the mechanical stress or prevention of the mechanicalstress concentration may prevent the display module and the cover frombeing broken. The rotational module holder serves as a reinforcementmember to increase the mechanical strength of the display module. Noneed to form the engagement parts on the display module simplifies themanufacturing process, whereby the manufacturing cost can be reduced anda freedom in design of the display module can also be increased. Thismounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason the abovedescribed advantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained.This mounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason theabove described advantages caused by no use of the screws can beobtained.

It is also preferable that the rotational module holder comprises a bodyextending along the one side face of the display module; a pair of firstcylindrically shaped projections projecting outwardly from opposite sidefaces of the body; and a pair of second cylindrically shaped projectionsprojecting outwardly from opposite side faces of the body, whilst theholder supporter comprises a pair of plate members confronting with theopposite side faces of the body, and the pair of the plate members alsohave: a pair of first circular shaped holes receiving the firstcylindrically shaped projections for pivotally supporting the body ofthe rotational module holder and allowing the rotational module holderto rotate around the longitudinal axis of the rotational module holder;and a pair of second circular shaped holes receiving the secondcylindrically shaped projections for allowing the second cylindricallyshaped projections to snap into the second circular shaped holes therebyto fix the rotational module holder. The display module is supported bythe separate positions. This structure relaxes the mechanical stress orprevents the mechanical stress concentration to points when the displaymodule receives the external stress such as the external shock. Therelaxation to the mechanical stress or prevention of the mechanicalstress concentration may prevent the display module and the cover frombeing broken. This mounting structure does not use the screws, for whichreason the above described advantages caused by no use of the screws canbe obtained. The rotational module holder serves as a reinforcementmember to increase the mechanical strength of the display module. Noneed to form the engagement parts on the display module simplifies themanufacturing process, whereby the manufacturing cost can be reduced anda freedom in design of the display module can also be increased. Thismounting structure does not use the screws, for which reason the abovedescribed advantages caused by no use of the screws can be obtained. Inthis cause, it is further preferable that the second engagement partfurther comprises a fix module holder for holding an opposite side ofthe display module to the one side face of the display module. It isfurther more preferable that the fix module holder further has a pushingmember for pushing the opposite side of the display module toward therotational module holder in order to securely position the displaymodule without clattering.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First Embodiment:

A first embodiment according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a perspective viewillustrative of a liquid crystal module mounting structure for mountinga liquid crystal module to a structural frame of a cover of a personalcomputer in a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention.A liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to a bottom plate 20 of a cover ofa personal computer. An outside frame 30 is attached to the bottom plate20. The bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30 are made of a plastic.The bottom plate 20 faces to the back face of the liquid crystal module10. The liquid crystal module 10 has a display face 10 a which isopposite to the back face. The liquid crystal module 10 is disposedbetween the bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30 of the cover. Theliquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20 of the coverby the following novel liquid crystal mounting structure. The outsideframe 30 is attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover by thefollowing attachment tools.

Before descriptions of how to mount the liquid crystal module 10 to thebottom plate 20 and to attach the outside frame 30 to the bottom plate20 of the cover, a structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isdescribed here. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrative of individualcomponents of a liquid crystal module shown in FIG. 5. The liquidcrystal module 10 comprises a front frame 13, a liquid crystal displaypanel 11, a back-light unit 12, a back frame 14 and a printed circuitboard 15. The liquid crystal display panel 11 and the back-light unit 12are laminated to each other so that laminations of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 11 and the back-light unit 12 are sandwiched between thefront frame 13 and the back frame 14. The front frame 13 and the backframe 14 are made of a metal. The combined front and back frames 13 and14 cover four peripheral sides of the laminations of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 11 and the back-light unit 12. The combined front and backframes 13 and 14 increase the mechanical strength of the liquid crystalmodule 10. The liquid crystal display panel 11 is provided with theprinted circuit board 15 having a driver IC 15 a. The driver IC15 a ofthe printed circuit board 15 is electrically connected through aflexible wiring board 15 b to the liquid crystal display panel 11, sothat the driver IC 15 a of the printed circuit board 15 generatescontrol signals on the basis of image data having entered from anexternal device and the control signals are then transmitted through theflexible wiring board 15 b to the liquid crystal display panel 11,whereby the liquid crystal display panel 11 controls liquid crystalcells in accordance with the control signals.

The back-light unit 12 accommodates a fluorescent lamp 12 a along itsbottom side. The fluorescent lamp 12 a turns on a light by a powersupplied from a power terminal 12 b. The fluorescent lamp 12 a emits alight which propagates from the bottom side of the back-light unit 12 tothe top side thereof. The back-light unit 12 also has a reflective sheetnot illustrated. The light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 12 a isreflected by the reflective sheet. The light is transmitted with auniform intensity from a front face of the back-light unit 12 to thedisplay face of the liquid crystal display panel 11, whereby images andcharacters are displayed on the front face of the liquid crystal displaypanel 11 with an incident light which has been adjusted in intensity byliquid crystal device.

For assembling the liquid crystal module 10, the flexible wiring board15 b is folded and sandwiched between the back-light unit 12 and theback frame 14 to fix the printed circuit board 15.

With reference back to FIG. 5, the liquid crystal module 10 has rightand left sides, each of which is provided with two recessed portions 18as engagement parts. The two recessed portions 18 are distanced fromeach other and are positioned close to the opposite corners at oppositeends of each of the right and left sides of the liquid crystal module10. In more detail, the four recessed portions 18 may be provided oneither the front or back frame 13 or 14. The bottom plate 20 has rightand left rims which have inside right and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c.Each of the inside right and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c has twoflexible projecting members 21 at corresponding positions to the abovetwo recessed portions 18, so that the four flexible projecting members21 are engaged with the four recessed portions 18. Each of the flexibleprojecting members 21 has a flexible crew portion 22 which projectsinwardly so that the flexible crew portion 22 may snap into the recessedportion 18. Each of the flexible crew portions 22 has a guide face 23which is sloped from inwardly, so that when the liquid crystal module 10is made closer to the bottom plate 20, then the guide faces 23 of theflexible projecting members 21 are made into contact with and pressedwith the right and left sides 10 b and 10 c of the liquid crystal module10, so that the flexible projecting members 21 are made tilted and thenwhen the recessed portions 18 come corresponding in positions to theflexible projecting members 21, the flexible projecting members 21 aremade turned to the originals so that the flexible crew portions 22 aresnapped into the recessed portions 18, whereby the recessed portions 18as the first engagement parts are engaged with the flexible projectingmembers 21 as the second engagement parts.

The outside frame 30 is attached to the bottom plate 20 by use of fourscrews 40. The outside frame 30 has four screw holes 31 in the vicinityof the four corners of the outside frame 30. The bottom plate 20 hasfour screw receiving portions 24 in the vicinity of the four corners ofthe bottom plate 20 namely at the corresponding positions to the fourscrew holes 31, so that when the outside frame 30 comes together withthe bottom plate 20, the four screw receiving portions 24 are aligned tothe four screw holes 31, whereby the four screws 40 are screwed from thefour screw holes 31 into the four screw receiving portions 24, in orderto attach the outside frame 30 to the bottom plate 20. Each of the fourscrew receiving portions 24 comprises a cylindrically shaped partextending in a thickness direction of the bottom plate 20. Thecylindrically shaped part has a threaded hole 25, into which the screw40 is inserted.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the flexible projecting member providedon the bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on the liquidcrystal module. As described above, the flexible crew portion 22 of theflexible projecting member 21 snaps into the recessed portion 18. Eachof the flexible crew portions 22 has a guide face 23 which is slopedfrom inwardly, so that when the liquid crystal module 10 is made closerto the bottom plate 20, then the guide faces 23 of the flexibleprojecting members 21 are made into contact with and pressed with theright and left sides 10 b and 10 c of the liquid crystal module 10, sothat the flexible projecting members 21 are made tilted and then whenthe recessed portions 18 come corresponding in positions to the flexibleprojecting members 21, the flexible projecting members 21 are madeturned to the originals so that the flexible crew portions 22 aresnapped into the recessed portions 18, whereby the recessed portions 18as the first engagement parts arc engaged with the flexible projectingmembers 21 as the second engagement parts. As a result, the liquidcrystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20 by the engagementsbetween the flexible projecting members 21 and the recessed portions 18.The outside frame 30 is further attached to the bottom plate 20 by thescrews 40 so that the peripheral portion of the liquid crystal module 10is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 and the bottom plate 20,whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is accommodated in the cover.

With reference back to FIG. 5, the bottom plate 20 has a bottom rimwhich has two recesses 20 a which are distanced from each other. Theoutside frame 30 also has a bottom side which has two recesses 30 a atcorresponding positions to the two recesses 20 a. The recesses 20 a and30 a are formed for accommodations of hinge tools which hinge the coverto the body.

As described above, the liquid crystal module 10 is placed closer to thebottom frame 20 and then the liquid crystal module 10 is pushed into thebottom frame 20. When the liquid crystal module 10 is made closer to thebottom plate 20, then the guide faces 23 of the flexible projectingmembers 21 are made into contact with and pressed with the right andleft sides 10 b and 10 c of the liquid crystal module 10, so that theflexible projecting members 21 are made tilted and then when therecessed portions 18 come corresponding in positions to the flexibleprojecting members 21, the flexible projecting members 21 are madeturned to the originals so that the flexible crew portions 22 aresnapped into the recessed portions 18, whereby the recessed portions 18as the first engagement parts are engaged with the flexible projectingmembers 21 as the second engagement parts. As a result, the liquidcrystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20 by the engagementsbetween the flexible projecting members 21 and the recessed portions 18.The outside frame 30 is further attached to the bottom plate 20 by thescrews 40 so that the peripheral portion of the liquid crystal module 10is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 and the bottom plate 20,whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is accommodated in the cover.

In accordance with the present invention, the recessed portions 18 areprovided on the side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst theflexible projecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces of theright and left rims of the bottom plate 20 of the cover respectively, sothat only fitting the liquid crystal module 10 into the bottom plate 20as the structural member of the cover causes the flexible projectingmembers 21 to be engaged with the recessed portions 18, thereby to mountthe liquid crystal module 10 to the bottom plate 20 as the structuralmember of the cover. This novel mounting structure for mounting theliquid crystal module 10 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural memberof the cover does never need to provide a screw formation region of theconventional mounting structure described above. Namely, the novelmounting structure for mounting the liquid crystal module 10 to thebottom plate 20 as the structural member of the cover does neverutilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module 10 should be decided dependent upon the screwson the basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquidcrystal module 10 to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mountingstructure makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the liquidcrystal module 10 with keeping the necessary fixing or mountingstrength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module 10. Further, no space is formed between theoutside frame and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible toincrease a ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of theliquid crystal module 10, even the area of the liquid crystal module 10is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module 10 ismounted.

No use of the screws further provide the following advantages No use ofthe screws needs no formation of the screw hole formation portion whichshould have to be made of a metal material, which is heavy more than aresin of a body of the outside frame. No use of the metal material forthe outside frame results in reduction in weight of the mobile terminal.

Furthers no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module 10. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module 10 from the coverbecause the recessed portions 18 provided on the side faces of theliquid crystal module 10 and the flexible projecting members 21 providedon the bottom plate 20 as the structural frame of the cover are engagedwith each other by only a single operation of fitting the liquid crystalmodule 10 into the bottom plate 20 as the structural frame of the cover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

The engagement structure shown in FIG. 7 may be modified as follows.FIG. 8A is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofa modified engagement structure between the flexible projecting memberprovided on the bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on theliquid crystal module. In place of the flexible projecting members 21with the crew portions 22, the crew portions 22 are directly formed onthe inside faces of the right and left rims of the bottom plate 20 atcorresponding positions to the recessed portions 18 so that when theliquid crystal module 10 is fitted to the bottom plate 20, then the crewportions 22 are inserted into the recessed portions 18. No provision ofthe flexible projecting members 21 reduces the space between the sideportions of the liquid crystal module 10 and the side portions of thecover.

The engagement structure may also be modified as follows. FIG. 8B is afragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative of anothermodified engagement structure between the flexible projecting memberprovided on the bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on theliquid crystal module. In place of the recessed portions 18, crews 18 aare provided which extend from the side faces 10 b of the liquid crystalmodule 10. The crews 18 a comprise outwardly projecting bent portionsextending from the side faces 10 b of the liquid crystal module 10Further, in place of the flexible projecting members 21 with the crewportions 22, the crew portions 22 are directly formed on the insidefaces of the right and left rims of the bottom plate 20 so that when theliquid crystal module 10 is fitted to the bottom plate 20, then the crewportions 22 are engaged with the crews 18 a as shown in FIG. 8B. Noprovision of the flexible projecting members 21 reduces the spacebetween the side portions of the liquid crystal module 10 and the sideportions of the cover.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the flexibleprojecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces of the right andleft rim portions of the bottom plate 20 of the cover. As a furthermodification, it is possible that the recessed portions 18 are providedon the top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilstthe flexible projecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces ofthe top and bottom rim portions of the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

In this embodiment, the flexible projecting members 21 are provided onthe inside faces of the right and left rim portions of the bottom plate20 of the cover. As a still further modification, it is possible thatthe flexible projecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces ofthe night and left rim portions of the outside frame 30.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the flexibleprojecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces of the right andleft rim portions of the bottom plate 20 of the cover As a further moremodification, it is possible that the flexible projecting members 21 areprovided on the top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module10 whilst the recessed portions 18 are provided on the inside faces ofthe top and bottom rim portions of the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the flexibleprojecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces of the right andleft rim portions of the bottom plate 20 of the cover. As moreovermodification, it is possible that the flexible projecting members 21 areprovided on the top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module10 whilst the recessed portions 18 are provided on the inside faces ofthe top and bottom rim portions of the outside frame 30 of the cover.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the flexibleprojecting members 21 are provided on the inside faces of the right andleft rim portions of the bottom plate 20 of the cover. As a stillfurther modification, it is possible that the flexible projectingmembers 21 are provided on the inside faces of the top and bottom rimportions of the outside frame 30, whilst the recessed portions 18 areprovided on the top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module10.

Second Embodiment:

A second embodiment according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a perspective viewillustrative of a liquid crystal module mounting structure for mountinga liquid crystal module to a structural frame of a cover of a personalcomputer in a second embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a pair of right and left metalreinforcement members 50 are provided both for increasing the mechanicalstrength of the cover accommodating the liquid crystal module 10 and formounting the liquid crystal module 10.

A liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to a pair of right and left metalreinforcement members 50. The right and left metal reinforcement members50 are attached to a bottom plate 20 of a cover of a personal computer.An outside frame 30 is attached through the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20. The bottom plate 20 andthe outside frame 30 are made of a plastic. The right and left metalreinforcement members 50 are made of a metal. The bottom plate 20 facesto the back face of the liquid crystal module 10. The liquid crystalmodule 10 has a display face 10 a which is opposite to the back face.The liquid crystal module 10 is disposed between the bottom plate 20 andthe outside frame 30 of the cover. The liquid crystal module 10 ismounted to the right and left metal reinforcement members 50 by thefollowing novel liquid crystal mounting structure. The outside frame 30is attached through the right and left metal reinforcement members 50 tothe bottom plate 20 of the cover by the following attachment tools.

The structure of the liquid crystal module 10 is the same as in thefirst embodiment and shown in FIG, 6, for which reason descriptions ofthe structure of the liquid crystal module 10 will be omitted to preventthe exactly duplicate descriptions.

The liquid crystal module 10 has right and left sides, each of which isprovided with two recessed portions 18 as engagement parts. The tworecessed portions 18 are distanced from each other and are positionedclose to the opposite corners at opposite ends of each of the right andleft sides of the liquid crystal module 10. The right and left metalreinforcement members 50 have inside faces, each of which has two convexportions 52 at corresponding positions to the above two recessedportions 18, so that the four convex portions 52 are engaged with thefour recessed portions 18. The right and left metal reinforcementmembers 50 are attached to the bottom plate 20, so that the right andleft metal reinforcement members 50 extend along the right and left rimportions of the bottom plate 20, whereby when the liquid crystal module10 is fitted to the bottom plate 20, the right and left side faces 10 band 10 c of the liquid crystal module 10 come together with the insidefaces of the right and left metal reinforcement members 50. As a result,the convex portions 52 formed on the inside faces of the right and leftmetal reinforcement members 50 are snapped into the recessed portions 18formed on the right and left side faces 10 b and 10 c of the liquidcrystal module 10.

The outside frame 30 is attached through the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20 by use of four screws40. The outside frame 30 has four screw holes 31 in the vicinity of thefour corners of the outside frame 30. Each of the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 has two screw holes 51 at its opposite endswhich correspond in position to the screw holes 31 of the outside frame30. The bottom plate 20 has four screw receiving portions 24 in thevicinity of the four corners of the bottom plate 20 namely at thecorresponding positions to the four screw holes 31 and also to the screwholes 51 of the right and left metal reinforcement members 50, so thatwhen the outside frame 30 comes together with the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 and the bottom plate 20, the four screwreceiving portions 24 are aligned to the four screw holes 51 of theright and left metal reinforcement members 50 and the four screw holes31 of the outside frame 30, whereby the four screws 40 are screwed fromthe four screw holes 31 and the four screw holes 51 into the four screwreceiving portions 24, in order to attach the outside frame 30 via theright and left metal reinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20.Each of the four screw receiving portions 24 comprises a cylindricallyshaped part extending in a thickness direction of the bottom plate 20.The cylindrically shaped part has a threaded hole 25, into which thescrew 40 is inserted.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the convex portion provided on the rightand left metal reinforcement members and the recessed portion providedon the liquid crystal module. As described above, when the recessedportions 18 come corresponding in positions to the convex portions 52,the convex portions 52 are snapped into the recessed portions 18,whereby the recessed portions 18 as the first engagement parts areengaged with the convex portions 52 as the second engagement parts. As aresult, the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20by the engagements between the convex portions 52 and the recessedportions 18. The outside frame 30 is further attached to the bottomplate 20 by the screws 40 so that the peripheral portion of the liquidcrystal module 10 is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 and thebottom plate 20, whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is accommodated inthe cover.

With reference back to FIG. 9, the bottom plate 20 has a bottom rimwhich has two recesses 20 a which are distanced from each other. Theoutside frame 30 also has a bottom side which has two recesses 30 a atcorresponding positions to the two recesses 20 a. The recesses 20 a and30 a are formed for accommodations of hinge tools which hinge the coverto the body.

As described above, the liquid crystal module 10 is placed closer to thebottom frame 20 and then the liquid crystal module 10 is pushed into thebottom frame 20. When the recessed portions 18 come corresponding inpositions to the convex portions 52 of the right and left metalreinforcement members 50, the convex portions 52 of the right and leftmetal reinforcement members 50 are snapped into the recessed portions18, whereby the recessed portions 18 as the first engagement parts areengaged with the convex portions 52 as the second engagement parts. As aresult, the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20by the engagements between the convex portions 52 and the recessedportions 18. The outside frame 30 is further attached through the rightand left metal reinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20 by thescrews 40 so that the peripheral portion of the liquid crystal module 10is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 and the bottom plate 20 andalso held between the of the right and left metal reinforcement members50, whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is accommodated in the cover.The right and left metal reinforcement members 50 increases themechanical strength of the cover accommodating the liquid crystal module10 and the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted through the right andleft metal reinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

In accordance with the present invention, the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 are provided for increasing the mechanicalstrength of the cover accommodating the liquid crystal module 10 andalso for allowing the liquid crystal module 10 to be mounted through theright and left metal reinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20 ofthe cover.

The provision of the right and left metal reinforcement members 50 whichincrease the mechanical strength allows a reduction of the mechanicalstrengths of the bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30. This means itpossible to reduce the weights of the bottom plate 20 and the outsideframe 30, whereby the weight of the cover can be reduced.

The convex portions 52 are provided on the right and left metalreinforcement members 50. Namely, the right and left metal reinforcementmembers 50 with the convex portions 52 are formed. The right and leftmetal reinforcement members 50 with the convex portions 52 are attachedto the bottom plate 20, for which reason the bottom plate 20 made of theplastic is free of any engagement portions for allowing the liquidcrystal module 10 to be mounted to the bottom plate 20, whereby thenumber of the necessary molding processes for forming the bottom plate20 made of the plastic can be reduced. The reduction in the number ofthe necessary molding processes for forming the bottom plate 20 allows areduction of the manufacturing cost. Further, the bottom plate 20 may becommon to various changes in positions and sizes of the recessedportions 18 provided on the liquid crystal module 10, because the convexportions 52 provided on the right and left metal reinforcement members50 are adjusted to the changes in positions and sizes of the recessedportions 18. This can respond to the requirement for various changes indesign with keeping the reduction in the manufacturing cost.

The recessed portions 18 are provided on the side faces of the liquidcrystal module 10 whilst the convex portions 52 are provided on theinside faces of the right and left metal reinforcement members 50 whichare attached to the night and left rims of the bottom plate 20 of thecover respectively, so that only fitting the liquid crystal module 10into the right and left metal reinforcement members 50 causes the convexportions 52 to be engaged with the recessed portions 18, thereby tomount the liquid crystal module 10 through the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural memberof the cover. This novel mounting structure for mounting the liquidcrystal module 10 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural member of thecover does never need to provide a screw formation region of theconventional mounting structure described above. Namely, the novelmounting structure for mounting the liquid crystal module 10 to thebottom plate 20 as the structural member of the cover does neverutilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module 10 should be decided dependent upon the screwson the basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquidcrystal module 10 to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mountingstructure makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the liquidcrystal module 10 with keeping the necessary fixing or mountingstrength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module 10. Further, no space is formed between theoutside frame and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible toincrease a ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of theliquid crystal module 10, even the area of the liquid crystal module 10is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module 10 ismounted.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module 10. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module 10 from the coverbecause the recessed portions 18 provided on the side faces of theliquid crystal module 10 and the convex portions 52 provided on theright and left metal reinforcement members 50 as the structural frame ofthe cover are engaged with each other by only a single operation offitting the liquid crystal module 10 into the bottom plate 20 as thestructural frame of the cover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

The engagement structure shown in FIG. 10 may be modified as follows.FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofa modified engagement structure between the convex portion provided onthe bottom plate and the recessed portion provided on the liquid crystalmodule. In place of the convex portions 52, the tongue portions 53 aredirectly formed on the right and left metal reinforcement members 50 atcorresponding positions to the recessed portions 18 b so that when theliquid crystal module 10 is fitted to the right and left metalreinforcement members 50, then the tongue portions 53 are caulked to beinserted into the recessed portions 18 b. No provision of the convexportions 52 reduces the space between the side portions of the liquidcrystal module 10 and the side portions of the cover.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the convexportions 52 are provided on the right and left metal reinforcementmembers 50 attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover. As a furthermodification, it is possible that the recessed portions 18 are providedon the top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilstthe convex portions 52 are provided on top and bottom metalreinforcement members attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the convexportions 52 are provided on the right and left metal reinforcementmembers 50 attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover. As a furthermodification, it is possible that the convex portions 52 are provided onthe top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst therecessed portions 18 are provided on the right and left metalreinforcement members 50 attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions 18 are provided on the rightand left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst the convexportions 52 are provided on the right and left metal reinforcementmembers 50 attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover. As a stillfurther modification, it is possible that the convex portions 52 areprovided on the top and bottom side faces of the liquid crystal module10 whilst the recessed portions 18 are provided on top and bottom metalreinforcement members attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

Third Embodiment:

A third embodiment according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a perspective viewillustrative of a liquid crystal module mounting structure for mountinga liquid crystal module to a structural frame of a cover of a personalcomputer in a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention.A liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to a bottom plate 20 of a cover ofa personal computer. An outside frame 30 is attached to the bottom plate20. The bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30 are made of a plastic.The bottom plate 20 faces to the back face of the liquid crystal module10. The liquid crystal module 10 has a display face 10 a which isopposite to the back face. The liquid crystal module 10 is disposedbetween the bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30 of the cover. Theliquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20 of the coverby the following novel liquid crystal mounting structure. The outsideframe 30 is attached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover by thefollowing attachment tools.

The structure of the liquid crystal module 10 is the same as in thefirst embodiment and as shown in FIG. 6, for which reason thedescriptions with reference to FIG. 6 will be omitted to prevent theduplicate descriptions.

The liquid crystal module 10 has right and left sides, each of which isprovided with two projecting portions 16 as engagement parts. The twoprojecting portions 16 arc distanced from each other and are positionedclose to the opposite corners at opposite ends of each of the right andleft sides of the liquid crystal module 10. In more detail, the fourprojecting portions 16 may be provided on either the front or back frame13 or 14. The bottom plate 20 has right and left rims which have insideright and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c. Each of the inside right andleft rim faces 20 b and 20 c has two guide grooves 26 at correspondingpositions to the above two projecting portions 16, so that the fourguide grooves 26 are engaged with the four projecting portions 16. Eachof the guide grooves 26 comprises a first guide groove portion 26 a anda second guide groove portion 26 b connected with the first guide grooveportion 26 a. The first guide groove portion 26 a extends in thethickness direction of the bottom plate 20. The second guide grooveportion 26 b extends in a longitudinal direction of the right and leftrim portions of the bottom plate 20. Namely, the second guide grooveportion 26 b extends perpendicular to the first guide groove portion 26a, so as to form a L-shape of the guide groove 26. When the liquidcrystal module 10 is pushed into the bottom plate 20, then theprojecting portions 16 are inserted through the first guide grooveportion 26 a of the guide groove 26. Further the liquid crystal module10 slides onto the bottom plate 20, so that the projecting portions 16are moved along the second guide groove portion 26 b of the guide groove26 until the projecting portions 16 are made into contact with the endsof the second guide groove portion 26 b of the guide groove 26, wherebythe projecting portions 16 are engaged with the guide groove 26.

The outside frame 30 is attached to the bottom plate 20 by use of fourscrews 40. The outside frame 30 has four screw holes 31 in the vicinityof the four corners of the outside frame 30. The bottom plate 20 hasfour screw receiving portions 24 in the vicinity of the four corners ofthe bottom plate 20 namely at the corresponding positions to the fourscrew holes 31, so that when the outside frame 30 comes together withthe bottom plate 20, the four screw receiving portions 24 are aligned tothe four screw holes 31, whereby the four screws 40 are screwed from thefour screw holes 31 into the four screw receiving portions 24, in orderto attach the outside frame 30 to the bottom plate 20. Each of the fourscrew receiving portions 24 comprises a cylindrically shaped partextending in a thickness direction of the bottom plate 20. Thecylindrically shaped part has a threaded hole 25, into which the screw40 is inserted.

The bottom plate 20 has a bottom rim which has two recesses 20 a whichare distanced from each other. The outside frame 30 also has a bottomside which has two recesses 30 a at corresponding positions to the tworecesses 20 a. The recesses 20 a and 30 a are formed for accommodationsof hinge tools which hinge the cover to the body.

As described above, the liquid crystal module 10 is placed closer to thebottom frame 20 and then the liquid crystal module 10 is pushed into thebottom frame 20. When the liquid crystal module 10 is made closer to thebottom plate 20, then the projecting portions 16 of the liquid crystalmodule 10 are inserted through the first guide groove portion 26 a ofthe guide groove 26. Further the liquid crystal module 10 slides ontothe bottom plate 20, so that the projecting portions 16 are moved alongthe second guide groove portion 26 b of the guide groove 26 until theprojecting portions 16 are made into contact with the ends of the secondguide groove portion 26 b of the guide groove 26, whereby the projectingportions 16 are engaged with the guide groove 26. As a result, theliquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the bottom plate 20 by theengagements between the guide grooves 26 and the projecting portions 16.The outside frame 30 is further attached to the bottom plate 20 by thescrews 40 so that the peripheral portion of the liquid crystal module 10is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 and the bottom plate 20,whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is accommodated in the cover.

In accordance with the present invention, the projecting portions 16 areprovided on the side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst theguide grooves 26 are provided on the inside faces of the right and leftrims of the bottom plate 20 of the cover respectively, so that onlyfitting the liquid crystal module 10 into the bottom plate 20 as thestructural member of the cover causes the guide grooves 26 to be engagedwith the projecting portions 16, thereby to mount the liquid crystalmodule 10 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural member of the cover.This novel mounting structure for mounting the liquid crystal module 10to the bottom plate 20 as the structural member of the cover does neverneed to provide a screw formation region of the conventional mountingstructure described above. Namely, the novel mounting structure formounting the liquid crystal module 10 to the bottom plate 20 as thestructural member of the cover does never utilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module 10 should be decided dependent upon the screwson the basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquidcrystal module 10 to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mountingstructure makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the liquidcrystal module 10 with keeping the necessary fixing or mountingstrength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw boles do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module 10. Further, no space is formed between theoutside frame and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible toincrease a ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of theliquid crystal module 10, even the area of the liquid crystal module 10is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module 10 ismounted.

No use of the screws further provide the following advantages. No use ofthe screws needs no formation of the screw hole formation portion whichshould have to be made of a metal material, which is heavy more than aresin of a body of the outside frame. No use of the metal material forthe outside frame results in reduction in weight of the mobile terminal.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module 10. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module 10 from the coverbecause the projecting portions 16 provided on the side faces of theliquid crystal module 10 and the guide grooves 26 provided on the bottomplate 20 as the structural frame of the cover are engaged with eachother by only operations of fitting the liquid crystal module 10 intothe bottom plate 20 as the structural frame of the cover and subsequentmotion of the liquid crystal module 10 to slide onto the bottom plate20.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

The engagement structure shown in FIG. 12 may be modified as follows.FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofa modified engagement structure between the projecting portions providedon the bottom plate and the guide grooves provided on the liquid crystalmodule. The liquid crystal module 10 has right and left sides, each ofwhich is provided with two guide grooves 17 as engagement parts. The twoguide grooves 17 are distanced from each other and are positioned closeto the opposite corners at opposite ends of each of the right and leftsides of the liquid crystal module 10. Each of the guide grooves 17 isL-shaped which comprises a first guide groove portion and a second guidegroove portion connected with the first guide groove portion. The firstguide groove portion of the guide groove 17 extends in the thicknessdirection of the liquid crystal module 10. The second guide grooveportion of the guide groove 17 extends in the longitudinal direction ofthe right and left sides of the liquid crystal module 10. Namely, thesecond guide groove portion of the guide groove 17 extends perpendicularto the first guide groove portion of the guide groove 17 to form theL-shape of the guide groove 17. The bottom plate 20 has right and leftrims which have inside right and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c. Each ofthe inside right and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c has two projectingportions 27 at corresponding positions to the above two guide grooves26, so that the four projecting portions 27 are engaged into the fourguide grooves 26. When the liquid crystal module 10 is pushed into thebottom plate 20, then the first guide groove portions of the guidegrooves 17 of the liquid crystal module 10 receive the projectingportions 27 of the bottom plate 20. Further the liquid crystal module 10slides onto the bottom plate 20, so that the projecting portions 27 ofthe bottom plate 20 are moved along the second guide groove portion ofthe guide groove 17 of the liquid crystal module 10 until the projectingportions 27 of the bottom plate 20 are made into contact with the endsof the second guide groove portion of the guide groove 17, whereby theprojecting portions 27 of the bottom plate 20 are engaged with the guidegrooves 17 of the liquid crystal module 10.

The engagement structure shown in FIG. 12 may further be modified asfollows. FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation viewillustrative of another modified engagement structure between theprojecting portions provided on the liquid crystal module and the guidegrooves provided on the bottom plate. The liquid crystal module 10 hasright and left sides, each of which is provided with two projectingportions 16 as engagement parts. The two projecting portions 16 aredistanced from each other and are positioned close to the oppositecorners at opposite ends of each of the right and left sides of theliquid crystal module 10. The bottom plate 20 has right and left rimswhich have inside right and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c. Each of theinside right and left rim faces 20 b and 20 c has two guide grooves 26at corresponding positions to the above two projecting portions 16, sothat the four guide grooves 26 are engaged with the four projectingportions 16. Each of the guide grooves 26 comprises a first guide grooveportion 26 a and a second guide groove portion 26 b connected with thefirst guide groove portion 26 a. The first guide groove portion 26 aextends in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 20. The secondguide groove portion 26 b extends in a longitudinal direction of theright and left rim portions of the bottom plate 20. Namely, the secondguide groove portion 26 b extends perpendicular to the first guidegroove portion 26 a, so as to form a L-shape of the guide groove 26.Further, each of the guide grooves 26 has elastic members 26 c to form apinch in the second guide groove portion 26 b in the vicinity of thecorner of the L-shape of the guide groove 26. When the liquid crystalmodule 10 is pushed into the bottom plate 20, then the projectingportions 16 are inserted through the first guide groove portion 26 a ofthe guide groove 26. Further the liquid crystal module 10 slides ontothe bottom plate 20, so that the projecting portions 16 are moved alongthe second guide groove portion 26 b of the guide groove 26, wherein theprojecting portions 16 are made into contact with the narrowed portionsof the elastic members 26 c whereby the narrowed portions of the elasticmembers 26 c are opened and widen to allow the projecting portions 16 toenter into the second guide groove portion 26 b of the guide groove 26.The liquid crystal module 10 slides onto the bottom plate 20 until theprojecting portions 16 are made into contact with the ends of theelastic members 26 c accommodated in the second guide groove portion 26b of the guide groove 26, and further the opened elastic members 26 care returned to the original form to have the narrowed or pinchedportions, whereby the projecting portions 16 are engaged with the guidegroove 26 and the narrowed or pinched portions of the elastic members 26c prevent the projecting portions 16 from returning to the first guidegroove portion 26 a.

The engagement structure shown in FIG. 12 may further be modified asfollows. FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation viewillustrative of still another modified engagement structure between theL-shaped projecting pieces provided on the liquid crystal module and abox-shaped engagement portions provided on the bottom plate. FIG. 16 isa fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative of anengagement structure of FIG. 15. The liquid crystal module 10 has rightand left sides, each of which is provided with two L-shaped projectingpieces 19 as engagement parts. The two L-shaped projecting pieces 19 aredistanced from each other and are positioned close to the oppositecorners at opposite ends of each of the right and left sides of theliquid crystal module 10. Each of the L-shaped projecting pieces 19 hasa projected front portion which is parallel to the display surface ofthe liquid crystal module. The projected front portion of the each ofthe L-shaped projecting pieces 19 has a convex portion 19 a. The bottomplate 20 has four box-shaped engagement parts 28 at correspondingpositions to the above four L-shaped projecting pieces 19. Each of thebox-shaped engagement parts 28 has a square-shaped opening portion 28 a,a guide groove 28 b connected with the square-shaped opening Portion 28a, a holding wall 28 c adjacent to the square-shaped opening portion 28a and to the guide groove 28 b, and a hole 28 d formed in the holdingwall 28 c. The square-shaped opening portion 28 a has a correspondingsize to the projected front portion of the L-shaped projecting piece 19so as to allow the projected front portion of the L-shaped projectingpiece 19 to enter through the square-shaped opening portion 28 a intothe box-shaped engagement part 28. The L-shaped projecting piece 19comprises a projecting base portion and the projected front portionwhich is supported by the projecting base portion. The projecting baseportion extends in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal module10, so that the projecting base portion is vertical to the projectedfront portion. The guide groove 28 b has such a width as allowing aprojecting base portion of the L-shaped projecting piece 19 to movealong the guide groove 28 b when the liquid crystal module 10 slidesonto the bottom plate 20 after the projected front portion of theL-shaped projecting piece 19 has entered through the square-shapedopening portion 28 a into the box-shaped engagement part 28. As theprojecting base portion of the L-shaped projecting piece 19 moves alongthe guide groove 28 b by moving the liquid crystal module 10 to slideonto the bottom plate 20, the projected front portion of the L-shapedprojecting piece 19 comes corresponding in position to an inside face ofthe holding wall 28 c of the box-shaped engagement part 28, whereby theconvex portion 19 a on the projected front portion is snapped into thehole 28 d of the box-shaped engagement part 28, so that the fourbox-shaped engagement parts 28 are engaged with the four L-shapedprojecting pieces 19.

In this embodiment, the L-shaped projecting pieces 19 are provided onthe right and left side faces of the liquid crystal module 10 whilst thebox-shaped engagement parts 28 are provided on the bottom plate 20 ofthe cover As a further modification, it is possible that the L-shapedprojecting pieces 19 are provided on the top and bottom side faces ofthe liquid crystal module 10 whilst the box-shaped engagement parts 28are provided on the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

Fourth Embodiment:

A fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a perspective viewillustrative of a liquid crystal module mounting structure for mountinga liquid crystal module to a structural frame of a cover of a personalcomputer in a fourth embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a pair of right and left metal guidemembers 29 are provided both for increasing the mechanical strength ofthe cover accommodating the liquid crystal module 10 and for mountingthe liquid crystal module 10.

A liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to a pair of right and left metalguide members 29. The right and left metal guide members 29 are attachedto a bottom plate 20 of a cover of a personal computer. An outside frame30 is attached to the bottom plate 20. The bottom plate 20 and theoutside frame 30 are made of a plastic. The right and left metal guidemembers 29 are made of a metal. The bottom plate 20 faces to the backface of the liquid crystal module 10. The liquid crystal module 10 has adisplay face 10 a which is opposite to the back face. The liquid crystalmodule 10 is disposed between the bottom plate 20 and the outside frame30 of the cover. The liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the rightand left metal guide members 29 without using any mounting tools. Theliquid crystal module 10 sides along the right and left metal guidemembers 29 until the right and left sides of the liquid crystal module10 come tightly fitting with the right and left metal guide members 29,whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the right and leftmetal guide members 29. The outside frame 30 is attached to the bottomplate 20 of the cover by the following attachment tools.

The structure of the liquid crystal module 10 is the same as in thefirst embodiment and shown in FIG. 6, for which reason descriptions ofthe structure of the liquid crystal module 10 will be omitted to preventthe exactly duplicate descriptions.

The outside frame 30 is attached to the bottom plate 20 by use of fourscrews 40. The outside frame 30 has four screw holes 31 in the vicinityof the four corners of the outside frame 30. The bottom plate 20 hasfour screw receiving portions 24 in the vicinity of the four corners ofthe bottom plate 20 namely at the corresponding positions to the fourscrew holes 31, so that when the outside frame 30 comes together withthe bottom plate 20, the four screw receiving portions 24 are aligned tothe four screw holes 31 of the outside frame 30, whereby the four screws40 are screwed from the four screw holes 31 into the four screwreceiving portions 24, in order to attach the outside frame 30 to thebottom plate 20. Each of the four screw receiving portions 24 comprisesa cylindrically shaped part extending in a thickness direction of thebottom plate 20. The cylindrically shaped part has a threaded hole 25,into which the screw 40 is inserted.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the right and left metal guide membersand the liquid crystal module. The liquid crystal module 10 is mountedto the right and left metal guide members 29 without using any mountingtools. The liquid crystal module 10 sides along the right and left metalguide members 29 until the right and left sides of the liquid crystalmodule 10 come tightly fitting with the right and left metal guidemembers 29, whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the rightand left metal guide members 29. The outside frame 30 is attached to thebottom plate 20 of the cover by the following attachment tools.

With reference back to FIG. 17, the bottom plate 20 has a bottom rimwhich has two recesses 20 a which are distanced from each other. Theoutside frame 30 also has a bottom side which has two recesses 30 a atcorresponding positions to the two recesses 20 a. The recesses 20 a and30 a are formed for accommodations of hinge tools which hinge the coverto the body.

As described above, the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the rightand left metal guide members 29 without using any mounting tools. Theliquid crystal module 10 sides along the right and left metal guidemembers 29 until the right and left sides of the liquid crystal module10 come tightly fitting with the right and left metal guide members 29,whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the right and leftmetal guide members 29. The outside frame 30 is further attached to thebottom plate 20 by the screws 40 so that the peripheral portion of theliquid crystal module 10 is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 andthe bottom plate 20 and also held between the of the right and leftmetal guide members 29, whereby the liquid crystal module 10 isaccommodated in the cover. The right and left metal guide members 29increase the mechanical strength of the cover accommodating the liquidcrystal module 10 and the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted throughthe right and left metal guide members 29 to the bottom plate 20 of thecover.

In accordance with the present invention, the right and left metal guidemembers 29 are provided for increasing the mechanical strength of thecover accommodating the liquid crystal module 10 and also for allowingthe liquid crystal module 10 to be mounted through the right and leftmetal guide members 29 to the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

The provision of the right and left metal guide members 29 whichincrease the mechanical strength allows a reduction of the mechanicalstrengths of the bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30. This means itpossible to reduce the weights of the bottom plate 20 and the outsideframe 30, whereby the weight of the cover can be reduced.

The right and left metal guide members 29 are attached to the bottomplate 20, for which reason the bottom plate 20 made of the plastic isfree of any engagement portions for allowing the liquid crystal module10 to be mounted to the bottom plate 20, whereby the number of thenecessary molding processes for forming the bottom plate 20 made of theplastic can be reduced. The reduction in the number of the necessarymolding processes for forming the bottom plate 20 allows a reduction ofthe manufacturing cost.

The right and left metal guide members 29 are provided, which areattached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover respectively, so that onlymovement of the liquid crystal module 10 to slide along the right andleft metal guide members 29 and slide onto the bottom plate 20 mountsthe liquid crystal module 10 through the right and left metal guidemembers 29 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural member of the cover.This novel mounting structure for mounting the liquid crystal module 10to the bottom plate 20 as the structural member of the cover does neverneed to provide a screw formation region of the conventional mountingstructure described above. Namely, the novel mounting structure formounting the liquid crystal module 10 to the bottom plate 20 as thestructural member of the cover does never utilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module 10 should be decided dependent upon the screwson the basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquidcrystal module 10 to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mountingstructure makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the liquidcrystal module 10 with keeping the necessary fixing or mountingstrength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module 10. Further, no space is formed between theoutside frame and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible toincrease a ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of theliquid crystal module 10, even the area of the liquid crystal module 10is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module 10 ismounted.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module 10. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module 10 from the coverbecause the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted through the right andleft metal guide members 29 to the bottom plate 20 as the structuralframe of the cover by only a single operation of moving the liquidcrystal module 10 to slide along the right and left metal guide members29 and slides onto the bottom plate 20 as the structural frame of thecover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

Fifth Embodiment:

A fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a perspective viewillustrative of a liquid crystal module mounting structure for mountinga liquid crystal module to a structural frame of a cover of a personalcomputer in a fifth embodiment in accordance with the present invention.In this embodiment, a set of four adhesive tapes 41 are provided on thebottom plate 20 for adhering the liquid crystal module 10 to the bottomplate 20 as the structural member of the cover.

A liquid crystal module 10 is mounted via a set of four adhesive tapes41 to the bottom plate 20 of the cover. The four adhesive tapes 41 areattached to the bottom plate 20. An outside frame 30 is attached to thebottom plate 20. The bottom plate 20 and the outside frame 30 are madeof a plastic. The bottom plate 20 with the four adhesive tapes 41 facesto the back face of the liquid crystal module 10. The liquid crystalmodule 10 has a display face 10 a which is opposite to the back face.The liquid crystal module 10 is disposed between the bottom plate 20 andthe outside frame 30 of the cover. The liquid crystal module 10 ismounted to the bottom plate 20 via the four adhesive tapes 41 withoutusing any further mounting tools. The liquid crystal module 10 is pushedto the bottom plate 20, so that the back face of the liquid crystalmodule 10 is made into contact with and adhesion with the four adhesivetapes 41, whereby the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the bottomplate 20 via the four adhesive tapes 41. The outside frame 30 isattached to the bottom plate 20 of the cover by the following attachmenttools.

The structure of the liquid crystal module 10 is the same as in thefirst embodiment and shown in FIG. 6, for which reason descriptions ofthe structure of the liquid crystal module 10 will be omitted to preventthe exactly duplicate descriptions.

The outside frame 30 is attached to the bottom plate 20 by use of fourscrews 40. The outside frame 30 has four screw holes 31 in the vicinityof the four corners of the outside frame 30. The bottom plate 20 hasfour screw receiving portions 24 in the vicinity of the four corners ofthe bottom plate 20 namely at the corresponding positions to the fourscrew holes 31, so that when the outside frame 30 comes together withthe bottom plate 20, the four screw receiving portions 24 are aligned tothe four screw holes 31 of the outside frame 30, whereby the four screws40 are screwed from the four screw holes 31 into the four screwreceiving portions 24, in order to attach the outside frame 30 to thebottom plate 20. Each of the four screw receiving portions 24 comprisesa cylindrically shaped part extending in a thickness direction of thebottom plate 20. The cylindrically shaped part has a threaded hole 25,into which the screw 40 is inserted.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation view illustrative ofan engagement structure between the liquid crystal module and the bottomplate via the adhesive tapes. The liquid crystal module 10 is adhered tothe four adhesive tapes 41 to mount the liquid crystal module 10 to thebottom plate 20 without using any mounting tools. The liquid crystalmodule 10 is pushed to the bottom plate 20, so that the back face of theliquid crystal module 10 is adhered to the adhesive tapes 41, wherebythe liquid crystal module 10 is mounted via the four adhesive tapes 41to the bottom plate 20 of the cover. The outside frame 30 is attached tothe bottom plate 20 of the cover by the following attachment tools.

With reference back to FIG. 19, the bottom plate 20 has a bottom rimwhich has two recesses 20 a which are distanced from each other. Theoutside frame 30 also has a bottom side which has two recesses 30 a atcorresponding positions to the two recesses 20 a. The recesses 20 a and30 a are formed for accommodations of hinge tools which hinge the coverto the body.

As described above, the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to thebottom plate via the four adhesive tapes 41 without using any furthermounting tools. The liquid crystal module 10 sides along the fouradhesive tapes 41 until the right and left sides of the liquid crystalmodule 10 come tightly fitting with the four adhesive tapes 41, wherebythe liquid crystal module 10 is mounted to the four adhesive tapes 41.The outside frame 30 is further attached to the bottom plate 20 by thescrews 40 so that the peripheral portion of the liquid crystal module 10is sandwiched between the outside frame 30 and the bottom plate 20 andalso held between the of the four adhesive tapes 41, whereby the liquidcrystal module 10 is accommodated in the cover. Each of the adhesivetapes 41 may comprise a rubber tape having both faces which are appliedwith an adhesive agent. The four adhesive tapes 41 make a gap betweenthe bottom plate 20 and the back face of the liquid crystal module 10,whereby the bottom plate 20 is prevented from contacting with the backface of the liquid crystal module 10. The separation of the liquidcrystal module 10 from the bottom plate 20 may prevent transmission ofany vibration of the liquid crystal module 10.

In accordance with the present invention, the four adhesive tapes 41 areprovided for allowing the liquid crystal module 10 to be mounted throughthe four adhesive tapes 41 to the bottom plate 20 of the cover.

The four adhesive tapes 41 are attached to the bottom plate 20, forwhich reason the bottom plate 20 made of the plastic is free of anyengagement portions for allowing the liquid crystal module 10 to bemounted to the bottom plate 20, whereby the number of the necessarymolding processes for forming the bottom plate 20 made of the plasticcan be reduced. The reduction in the number of the necessary moldingprocesses for forming the bottom plate 20 allows a reduction of themanufacturing cost. Further, it is possible to increase the freedom ofthe design of the module.

The four adhesive tapes 41 are provided, which are attached to thebottom plate 20 of the cover respectively, so that only movement of theliquid crystal module 10 to slide along the four adhesive tapes 41 andslide onto the bottom plate 20 mounts the liquid crystal module 10through the four adhesive tapes 41 to the bottom plate 20 as thestructural member of the cover. This novel mounting structure formounting the liquid crystal module 10 to the bottom plate 20 as thestructural member of the cover does never need to provide a screwformation region of the conventional mounting structure described above.Namely, the novel mounting structure for mounting the liquid crystalmodule 10 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural member of the coverdoes never utilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module 10 should be decided dependent upon the screwson the basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquidcrystal module 10 to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mountingstructure makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the liquidcrystal module 10 with keeping the necessary fixing or mountingstrength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module 10. Further, no space is formed between theoutside frame and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible toincrease a ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of theliquid crystal module 10, even the area of the liquid crystal module 10is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module 10 ismounted.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module 10. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module 10 from the coverbecause the liquid crystal module 10 is mounted through the fouradhesive tapes 41 to the bottom plate 20 as the structural frame of thecover by only a single operation of pushing the liquid crystal module 10onto the bottom plate 20 as the structural frame of the cover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

Sixth Embodiment:

A sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is a perspective viewillustrative of a bottom plate having a liquid crystal module mountingstructure for mounting a liquid crystal module to a bottom frame of acover of a personal computer in a sixth embodiment in accordance withthe present invention. FIG. 22 is a fragmentary cross sectional viewillustrative of a liquid crystal module held by a rotational holderattached to a bottom plate of a cover. A cover 102 of the personalcomputer comprises a bottom plate 60 and a rotational holder 61 forholding a liquid crystal module 10. The rotational holder 61 ispivotally attached to one side of the bottom plate 60. The bottom plate60 has two side walls 60 a on first opposite sides. The rotationalholder 61 is attached to one of the second opposite sides of the bottomplate 61. A latch member 62 is provided on another of the secondopposite sides of the bottom plate 61. The latch member 62 has a roofwhich contacts with an upper face of the liquid crystal module 10. Thelatch member 62 also has a elastic member 63 which pushes the liquidcrystal module 10 toward the rotational holder 61. Each of the sidewalls 60 a of the bottom plate 60 has a large hole 60 b and a small hole60 c in the vicinity of the one of the first opposite sides of thebottom plate 60. The rotational holder 61 has a slender box-shapedmember having two opposite sides 61 c, each of which has a largeprojecting part 61 a engaged into the large hole 60 b of the bottomplate 60 and a small projecting part 61 a engaged into the small hole 60d of the bottom plate 60. The engagement of the large projecting part 61a into the large hole 60 b of the bottom plate 60 allows the rotationalholder 61 to rotate around an axis extending in parallel to the one ofthe first opposite sides. The rotational holder 61 also has a pair oftop and bottom module supporting plates 61 b which extend from theslender box-shaped body for supporting one side of the liquid crystalmodule 10. One side of the liquid crystal module 10 is inserted into aspace between the top and bottom module supporting plates 61 b. As therotational holder 61 is laid down in parallel to the bottom plate 60,then the small projecting parts 61 d snap into the small holes 60 c ofthe side walls of the bottom plate 60, and also the liquid crystalmodule 10 held by the rotational holder 61 is also laid down, so thatthe liquid crystal module 10 is latched by the latch member 62, wherebythe liquid crystal module 10 is pushed by the elastic member 63 towardthe rotational holder 61. Further, a distance between the side walls 60a of the bottom plate 60 is made narrow at least in the vicinity of theside having the latch member 62 so that the liquid crystal module 10held by the rotational holder 61 is also laid down and the liquidcrystal module 10 is made sandwiched between the side walls 60 a of thebottom plate 60 at least in the vicinity of the side having the latchmember 62. As a result, the liquid crystal module 10 is securely mountedby the rotational holder 61 to the bottom plate 60 of the cover. Theelastic member 63 may comprise either a rubber material or a springmember.

In accordance with the present invention, rotational holder 61 areprovided for increasing the mechanical strength of the coveraccommodating the liquid crystal module 10 and also for allowing theliquid crystal module 10 to be mounted through rotational holder 61 tothe bottom plate 60 of the cover.

The provision of rotational holder 61 which increases the mechanicalstrength allows a reduction of the mechanical strengths of the bottomplate 60. This means it possible to reduce the weights of the bottomplate 60, whereby the weight of the cover can be reduced.

The rotational holder 61 is attached to the bottom plate 60, for whichreason the bottom plate 60 is free of any engagement portions forallowing the liquid crystal module 10 to be mounted to the bottom plate60, whereby the number of the necessary molding processes for formingthe bottom plate 60 can be reduced. The reduction in the number of thenecessary molding processes for forming the bottom plate 60 allows areduction of the manufacturing cost.

This novel mounting structure for mounting the liquid crystal module 10to the bottom plate 60 as the structural member of the cover does neverneed to provide a screw formation region of the conventional mountingstructure described above. Namely, the novel mounting structure formounting the liquid crystal module 10 to the bottom plate 60 as thestructural member of the cover does never utilizes the screw.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem in that the thickness ofthe liquid crystal module 10 should be decided dependent upon the screwson the basis of the necessary strength in tightly fixing the liquidcrystal module 10 to the cover. Namely, the screw-free mountingstructure makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the liquidcrystal module 10 with keeping the necessary fixing or mountingstrength.

Thus, the screw-free mounting structure in accordance with the presentinvention is free from the conventional problem with the conventionalside mount type liquid crystal module mounting structure. No use ofscrews nor formations of screw holes do need no margin on the sideportions for driving the screws, resulting in narrowing the width of theliquid crystal module 10. Further, no space is formed between theoutside frame and the back-light portion. No space makes it possible toincrease a ratio in area of a display surface to the entire part of theliquid crystal module 10, even the area of the liquid crystal module 10is limited by the cover to which the liquid crystal module 10 ismounted.

Further, no use of the screw results in no screw hole formation portionextending in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module 10. Noscrew hole formation portion does not need any margins. No margins makeit possible to further reduce the thickness of the liquid crystalmodule.

No formation of any screw formation portion makes the mobile terminalfree from the conventional problem with limitation in laying out thedriver IC. This means that a freedom in design of signal lines of thedriver IC is increased. No formation of the screw formation region makesit possible to obtain an optimum layout of the signal lines of thedriver IC.

As described above, no use of metal material further provides anadvantage in being free from the conventional problem with a possiblegeneration of a metal broken piece, which may form a short circuit on anelectronic circuit.

No use of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regionsfurther provide an advantage in being free from the conventional problemin that if the mobile terminal mounted with the side mount liquidcrystal module receives an external shock, then a mechanical stress dueto the received shock is concentrated to the screw formation region. Nouse of the screws nor formation of the screw formation regions makes theliquid crystal panel and the outside frame free from damages due to themechanical stress due to the received shock.

The cover of the mobile terminal has no screw receiving portion forreceiving the screw, for which reason a slide mold is not necessary toform the cover. This means that the cost for forming the manufacturingline may be reduced.

The above novel mounting structure of the liquid crystal module 10 isconvenient in removing the liquid crystal module 10 from the coverbecause the liquid crystal module 10 and the rotational holder 61attached to the bottom plate 60 as the structural frame of the cover areengaged with each other by only a single operation of fitting the liquidcrystal module 10 into the rotational holder 61 as the structural frameof the cover.

No use of the screws means no formation of the screw receiving portions,for which reason the screw hole formation region is required to have ahigh strength by use of a high strength metal such as Mg allow which is,however, expensive and heavy and has a low formability.

The above described novel mounting structure may be applicable to notonly for mounting the liquid crystal module to the mobile personalcomputer but also for mounting the liquid crystal module to any othermobile terminals. The above described novel mounting structure may beapplicable to not only for mounting the liquid crystal module to anymobile terminals including mobile personal computers but also formounting any display module to any mobile terminals including mobilepersonal computers.

Whereas modifications of the present invention will be apparent to aperson having ordinary skill in the art, to which the inventionpertains, it is to be understood that embodiments as shown and describedby way of illustrations are by no means intended to be considered in alimiting sense. Accordingly, it is to be intended to cover by claims allmodifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed:
 1. A mounting structure for mounting a liquid crystalmodule to an exterior frame of a mobile terminal, the mounting structurecomprising double-sided adhesive tape between and directly adhering aback face of the liquid crystal module to an interior surface of abottom-most plate portion of the exterior frame.
 2. The mountingstructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural adhesive tape areprovided symmetrically.
 3. A mobile terminal comprising the mountingstructure of claim
 1. 4. A mounting structure for mounting a liquidcrystal module to a cover of a mobile terminal, the mounting structurecomprising double-sided adhesive tape between a back face of the liquidcrystal module and a bottom plate portion of the cover that adheres theliquid crystal module to the bottom plate portion of the cover, whereinsaid liquid crystal module comprises a liquid crystal display panel anda back-light unit mounted on a back frame, and wherein adhesive tape isbetween said back frame of said liquid crystal module and said bottomplate portion of the cover and attaches said back frame of said liquidcrystal module to said bottom plate portion of the cover.
 5. A cover ofa mobile computer terminal, comprising: a bottom plate; an outside framethat has a display area and that is attached to said bottom plate; aliquid crystal module that is between said bottom plate and said outsideframe, said liquid crystal module having a liquid crystal display paneland a back-light unit on a back frame, wherein a display face of saidliquid crystal display panel is viewable in said display area of saidoutside frame and said back frame of said liquid crystal module isadjacent to said bottom plate; and double-sided adhesive tape betweensaid back frame of said liquid crystal module and said bottom plate thatattaches said back frame of said liquid crystal module to said bottomplate.
 6. The cover of claim 5, further comprising fasteners spaced fromsaid display area that attach said outside frame to said bottom plate.7. The cover of claim 6, where the fasteners are screws.